Compassion
Now Playing: What moves our emotions ?
Topic: Compassion
Some of us can be a bit hard-hearted at times. Walking thru a downtown and seeing the homeless, and less fortunate may make me feel, "they deserve it". So how are we to respond to those in need? "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17) To other believers, the apostle Peter wrote "be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren..." (1 Peter 3:8) Jude wrote "...of some have compassion, making a difference" (Jude 22).

In the gospels, the good Samaritan, "came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds...and took care of him" (Luke 10:33,34) The father of the Prodigal Son, "when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) The Lord graciously chose those of us who are believers, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Romans 9:15).

When He was here, the Lord Jesus "saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Also, "Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14). "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him" (Matthew 20:34) "Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, 'I will; be thou clean'" (Mark 1:41)

When know of our Lord that "His compassions fail not, they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23) Also, the prophet Micah could write, "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity?...he retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19) May we likewise be compassionate to those who transgress, desiring their repentance and blessing!